Tenacity: the little ‘mountains’ kids have to climb

Tenacity: the little ‘mountains’ kids have to climb

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A video had been forwarded

many times over the social media.

I can’t help but to admire

the tenacity of this kid!

Little mountains kids have to climb

Look how he grips

the linen with his chubby hands!

See how his face presses onto

the soft cushion with tenacious determination!

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Each time he pulls himself up

his foot grapples clingingly

onto his ‘huge opponent’, the mattress,

as if, in wrestling, with such strength of will,

a will bigger than himself

with persistent perseverance

that would put shame to some adults!

Ouch! He is falling!

Landing on his butts, head lifted up in reflex

and he picks himself up again!

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Yes, he is halfway up on the bed now!

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Oh, no, he is falling again!

On that long thick mattress

placed next to the sofa-bed!

He re-bounces, turns back immediately,

…with a fixity of purpose, that is, to climb up that bed!

And hurray! He is finally up and crawling on the bed!

Triumph flashes on his face!

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Tenacity means never to have

words like ‘failure’ and ‘giving up’!

adorable baby blur chair
Tenacity; learning to stand up (Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com)

Many of our kids have been through

those little ‘huge’ challenges

those little ‘mountains’ kids have to climb;

rolling-over, learning to stand up,

walking that first step, crawling around.

Each of those are mountain-like tasks

matching those growing-up years.

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They were just the beginnings.

The beginning in preparing them

and their mind-set for bigger goals in life!

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Quotes

  1. Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity. – Louis Pasteur

2. There are times in life when people must know when not to let go. Balloons are designed to teach small children this.”― Terry Pratchett

I only have you in my heart.

I only have you in my heart.

Listen to my solo 我的心里没有他 wo de xin li mei yu da (meaning I only have you in my heart.)

Jealousy- I only have you in my heart!

This song reminds us that females can be such petty and jealous species.

I wonder if it applies to men, too!

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“Jealousy is not a barometer by which the depth of love can be read. It merely records the degree of the lover’s insecurity.”

– Margaret Mead

Retirement and reshaping our social fabric?

Retirement and reshaping our social fabric?

Photo by ICSA on Pexels.com

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Retirement age is steadily increasing in many countries, where many 60- year- olds are still healthy and productive. When knowledge and experiences are at a peak,  wouldn’t it be a waste to put them into cold storage when they can offer real economic advantages? Will that mean fewer opportunities for the younger generations, fresh graduates, and new entrants to the job market? I never use the word “retire” on myself.  But if I were to go back to compete in the job market,  I would propose a half full-time equivalent (FTE) with a prorated salary. That way, the old people will still have sufficient time to rest and have time for their solitude time and hobbies. The fresh and younger people can be guided by these older mentors and strive forth in the competitive workforce, unhindered.

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Solitude versus loneliness

Solitude versus loneliness

Solitude versus loneliness

"Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone," according to Paul Tillich.

Severely disableds ’empowered’ as avatar robots!

Severely disableds ’empowered’ as avatar robots!

This is a smart idea! Empowering bedridden and severely disabled to operate robots, from a distance.

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Tell the universe

Tell the universe

Many people suffer in silence. The excuses are shame, taboos, ‘don’t wash dirty linens in public’, or ‘ you are weak’. And so, they ‘drown’!


Speaking up here refers to talking to someone close to oneself or a counselor. A meditation guru once suggested “meditating and telling the universe”. In peaceful solitude and self-reflection, one may find the answers or solutions.

Tell the universe (Picture courtesy of Ruzita

Reflecting: Que Sera Sera

Reflecting: Que Sera Sera

Que sera sera (Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com)

I met many of my former students on the social media. A lot of reflections in our chats, as we reminisced the past years. I usually have to make the first move to connect to them whenever I see their pictures appearing on my site. Many are mothers of teenaged children!

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“…ah, I remember you. You were so timid those days! Now you are teaching the other nurses! Excellent!’

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“… You own two renal dialysis centers? So enterprising!”

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“.. you are the CEO of a cancer hospital! I remember you used to be one of the top few students most of the time!”

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“you are a full-time house wife and mother? But you used to be very good in your studies!”

“So, how are you? Your kids are so big already! How time flies!”

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After some time on the chat, one of them said, “… remember the songs you used to make us sing to improve our English? The song…

Que Sera Sera, whatever will be, will be…”

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Quote:-

We know what we are, but know not what we may be.- William Shakespeare

The daily clergy visitor

The daily clergy visitor

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Every noon time,

an elderly clergy man would stand

at a corner of the busy ward, observing.

Streams of visitors strolled in

towards their loved ones or friends.

Some brought extra fruits and food.

They would hug and kiss

the face or the hands of the patients,

chatting concernly.

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A few lonely patients watched silently,

but their loved ones were struggling

in a hand-to-mouth existence

to feed their family,

let alone afford a trip

from the interior to the city hospital. 

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The clergyman clasped his hands together

in front of his chest

and gestured if he may sit down

next to a bedridden patient.

The patient nodded and pointed

to a chair next to his bed. 

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It was all silence and touch communication

as he peeled an orange or banana

to feed the patient. 

He would wipe the face

and hands of the patient.

And he would just sit for a while

before moving to

the next targeted patient.

Until a security man came in

ringing his bell signalling

the end of the visiting hours.

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Prevent child deaths in parked vehicles

Prevent child deaths in parked vehicles

Lately,  a child was left and died in a locked vehicle again as he didn’t disembark to go to kindergarten.

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time and again it happens

a child dies in a parked car

Is there enough

public awareness campaign?

smart seat alarm sensors?

AI- enabled cameras

to detect motions in parked vehicles?

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is there

community vigilance such as

“see something,  act immediately!

Stricter laws in child care and schools

to report strict’ check- in’ protocols

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Encourage corporate responsibility

to allow flexibility for working parents

and parental strategies

like placing essential items,

handbags, phone in back seat

to prompt checking the vehicle

before leaving it.

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reengineer our environment,

habits and technologies

to prevent another child

dying in a parked vehicle! 

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Chen’s quotes on HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Chen’s quotes on HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

* The day a baby is born,

a mother is born,  too!

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*Gone are the carefree days. Now come the sleepless nights and a baby’s breastfeeding schedules on demand!

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* Here come free weight-lifting exercises, early feeding, and reading sessions!

* Can you believe the once carefree lady is now a supermum? What with baby-sitting, cooking,  WFH projects,etc!

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Listen to this song mama hau (good mothers)!

mama hau (good mothers)